Hempel Unveils BPA-Free Railcar Lining

Protective coatings maker Hempel has introduced a Bisphenol A-free lining for the internal surfaces of rail cars, storage tanks, silos and other transportation and storage assets.

Bisphenol A, commonly referred to as BPA, is an industrial chemical used to make certain plastics and resins since 1960s. BPA is commonly found in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins.

Hempel

The railcar lining complies with the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

The chemical has raised worldwide safety concerns, especially in applications that bring it into contact with food or beverages. Some countries have banned or limited use of the chemical, and both the Food & Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency have been reviewing its use in the United States.

‘One Step Ahead’

Hempel’s new spray-applied Hempadur BPA Free 37301 puts the company “one step ahead of regulations,” the company said in a release.

The product is suitable for bulk products, dry or liquid foods, and plastic pellets for the manufacture of food-contact materials.

The amine-cured, solvent-free, white epoxy coating has no BPA resin and cures to “a strong, smooth lining that is also flexible,” with a slickness that eases unloading of cargo, according to Hempel.

Environmental Impact

Environmental impact is low, as the coating has 96% solids and 55g/L of volatile organic compound content, the company says.

One-coat application optimizes productivity and reduces production costs, Hempel says. Additional film thickness, if needed, can be applied over an extended period of time, the manufacturer reports.

Hempadur BPA Free 37301 complies with the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, as well as all applicable food additive regulations, including 21 C.F.R. §175.300 (“Resinous and polymeric coatings”).

The Hempel Group is a global supplier of protective coatings within the protective, marine, container, decorative and yacht market segments.